Capleton can still do shows overseas - Entertainer gets bail in rape case

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Popular entertainer Capleton, who is charged with rape, was granted bail yesterday in the sum of $250,000 in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Capleton, 51, whose given name is Clifton Bailey, was brought to the courtroom in handcuffs at about 10:39 a.m., where he made his first appearance since being arrested and charged by detectives at the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse.

The entertainer was represented by Christopher Townsend, who before his application, told the court that the prosecution had made it clear they are not opposed to bail.

Capleton is to return to court on June 14 and a fingerprint order made.

A request by the clerk of court, Hansurd Lawson, for the entertainer to surrender his travel documents as part of his bail conditions was turned down by Parish Judge Vaughn Smith.

The request by the clerk came after Capleton's attorney, Christopher Townsend, indicated to the court that his client has a number of overseas shows starting this weekend until June 27.

VARYING BAIL CONDITONS

Lawson argued that Capleton's bail conditions can be varied to allow him to travel for each slated performance.

Smith said: "If he misses one court date, then the court will have to collect the travel documents." However, Townsend responded by saying: "I will haul him here myself."

The entertainer looked relieved after learning that he was granted bail and could honour his commitments.

Townsend told our news team that, although the prosecution was not opposed to bail, his major concern was the entertainer's travel documents.

"My major fear was not that he would be granted bail but that his travel documents would have been surrendered or taken away from him, which would have prevented him from going away on the many tours that he has lined up," Townsend said.

Meanwhile, reports are that the complainant, who is a hairdresser, reported that she was hired by the entertainer and went to a hotel in New Kingston on April 28 to groom his hair.

But on May 2, the woman made a report outlining that while at the hotel, the entertainer held her down and had sexual intercourse with her against her will.

The police said later that day, the entertainer went to the Half-Way Tree Police Station and reported a case of extortion against the woman.

Townsend told the court that there are voice notes and text messages to support claims that the complainant is disingenuous.